Lincoln-Sudbury's Marquis Simmons just wanted to be there when his team needed him on Friday.

Simmons caught a 52-yard winning touchdown pass from senior Henry Guild in the final 26 seconds to help Lincoln-Sudbury (7-1, 2-0) to a 14-7 defeat of host Westford Academy (6-2, 1-1) to remain atop the DCL (Large) standings.

"I just wanted to play my role as senior,” said Simmons. “I saw the ball in the air and was able to grab it. It was important to keep my footing and turnaround downfield.”

In what was a battle of field position all night, two key turnovers helped set up both scores for the two-time defending division champs. An interception by senior Dario Marando off a screen play put L-S on its own 48 yard-line with 36 seconds remaining. Simmons, who had two receptions for 91 yards, managed to reach above triple coverage and grab a lobbed pass on the following play as he spun around and broke 25-yards for the winning score.

"You have to remember we are playing with out Brian Carroll, who is one of the best backers in the league,” said L-S coach Tom Lopez. “Our running backs did a good job of stepping up.”

L-S opened the scoring in the game on a four-yard bootleg keeper by Guild at 4:16 in the first quarter. The play was made possible by a Grey Ghosts fumble on a quarterback dive at their own 16 yard-line.

“In a game like this it comes down to a couple big plays,” said Lopez. “We were able to force a turnover and bury it in.”

Westford seemed ready to respond after a 43-yard streak pass from Troy Faretra to fellow senior Andrew Dunne helped set it up on the Warriors' three-yard line with 5:29 to go in the third quarter. However, a fourth down quarterback keeper attempt by Faretra failed as he was knocked inches short of the goal line by L-S's Marando.

Holding L-S to only nine yards on its next possession, Westford maintained field position as it start its next drive on the Warriors' 27 yard-line. Eight plays, including a nine-yard out-pass from Faretra to junior Stephen O'Brien, made way for a one-yard dive by Faretra to give the Grey Ghosts' their score.

“We lost the battle down in the trenches,” said Westford Academy coach Rich McKenna. “We were unable to push their line back and move the ball. We had a few bad turnovers.”

Westford ran its standard hurry up offense all-night with snaps going to both Faretra and backer senior Justin Mount. Faretra was 8-of-16 for 130 yards and three interceptions, while rushing 21 carries for 130 yards and a touchdown. Teammate Justin Mount added for 124 yards on 16 touches.